Somali Refugees Leaving Kenya Due to Threats, Pressure- Says United Nations

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The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) says Somali refugees in Kenya are leaving the country due to threats and pressure from security officials.

More than 300,000 Somalis reside in Dadaab, the world’s largest refugee camp, located in east-central Kenya. Kenyan officials have threatened to close the sprawling camp, citing national security issues.

Mohamed Mahad Gurhan, an officer in UNHCR’s Dadaab office, says families registering to return home report fearing for their lives.

“Families we have interviewed and many of those who filled the repatriation forms have shown that they are returning because of threatening rhetoric by Kenyan regional security officials who recently visited the camp,” Gurhan told VOA’s Somali Service.

He says Kenyan regional security officials told the refugees they must leave before they are forcibly driven out “when the camp shuts down this month.”

“We spoke to families in the camp who are returning for fear, not willingly or voluntary,” Gurhan said. A recent agreement between the U.N. and the Kenyan and Somali governments stated the refugees would not be forced across the border, back into Somalia.

“The return of refugees to Somalia would contravene international obligations,” Gurhan said.

"We are committed to ensure that all returns to Somalia are voluntary and carried out in dignity, safety and protection. UNHCR would never be part of a repatriation process that forces refugees,” he added.

Gurhan said refugees forcibly returned to Somalia are vulnerable to theft and exploitation.

“We fear that these people fall into the traps of armed groups when they return unprepared,” he said. UNHCR has received reports that armed gunmen have robbed former refugees of their supplies.

Kenya not closing camp yet

Kenyan officials involved in the refugee repatriation process said a refugee verification exercise has been completed, but the repatriation process would take longer given the security situation in Somalia.